Honolulu, Hawaii
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 152 entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO COLLABORATE WITH THE STATE TO EXPAND COMMUNITY GARDENING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the City and
County of Honolulu to collaborate with the State to expand community gardening
opportunities for residents.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau and one
individual.
Your
Committee received comments from the Department of Land of Natural Resources.
Your
Committee finds that community gardening provides numerous individual health
benefits, while also providing communities with a source of organic, healthy,
and affordable local food options. In Honolulu, where a significant
portion of the population resides in condominiums and densely populated
neighborhoods, community garden programs offer a respite from city life and
have become increasingly popular, with demand rapidly outpacing available
supply, as exemplified by the extensive waitlist at the Ala Wai Community
Garden. This measure encourages collaboration between the City and County
of Honolulu and the State to expand community gardening opportunities for
residents on Oahu.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 152 and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair |
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